Journal of Unconventional Parks, Tourism & Recreation Research JUPTRR Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 17-22 ISSN 1942-6879

translated into English as happiness, well- What is Leisure? being (Deci & Ryan, 2008; Waterman, 1993), or flourishing (Dunn & Brody, A MacIntyrian Based Response 2008). In his framework, leisure is James B. Wise essential to eudamonia, “And happiness [flourishing] is thought to depend on Minnesota State University, Mankato leisure; for we are busy that we may have leisure” (Aristotle, 2001a, 1177b, 4-6). Leisure is a primary contributor to human flourishing. Thus, it is imperative for humanity Leisure “gives pleasure and happiness to possess an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. This article addresses that and enjoyment of life, which are experi- need by outlining a conceptualization of leisure based on MacIntyre’s (2007) seminal enced, not by the busy man, but by those work After Virtue. This conception, because it is from a historicist perspective, has the who leisure” (Aristotle, 2001b, 1338a, 1-3). ability to evolve so as to continue to infuse people’s lives with meaning and enhance Aristotle is clear about what is to hap- their flourishing. These outcomes result from the three core elements of leisure: pen during leisure so people can flourish. community, freedom, and virtuous behavior. The article concludes with a brief discus- They are to execute the function unique to sion of implications associated with adopting the presented conceptualization. humans which is to reason “since reason more than anything else is man” (Aristotle, The seemingly straightforward ques- human beings. Thus, in the Platonic 2001a, 1178a, 7-8). Therefore, “leisure [is tion of what is leisure turns out not to be tradition it makes perfect sense to search to be] spent in intellectual activity” so easy to answer but this condition for the definition and purpose of leisure. (Aristotle, 2001b, 1338a, 11). The ability to should not thwart efforts to ascertain an Conversely, the historicist tradition views reason enables people to contemplate answer because leisure has been truth as created through human activity truths, act virtuously, cultivate friendships, identified by several contemporary authors and reflective of the corresponding and actively participate in civic life, all as a primary contributor to human historical context. Truth is dependent upon uniquely human actions (Hemingway, happiness or flourishing (Anderson & human activity and the details of the 1988). Heyne, 2012; Carruthers & Hood, 2007; epoch during which the truth was created. St. Thomas Aquinas (1952), an Aris- Heyne & Anderson, 2012; Hood & Within this tradition, it is assumed leisure’s totelian who lived in the 1200s, held a Carruthers, 2007; Wise, 2014). Conse- meaning and purpose are constantly being related view of the relationship among quently then, in order to promote human constructed. Therefore, searching for the human nature, happiness, contemplation, flourishing, it is essential to have a clear meaning and purpose of leisure is fruitless and leisure. For Aquinas, all human action and in-depth understanding of the and inappropriate (Blackshaw, 2010; aimed for one end or telos, happiness, concept. Rojek, 1995). Instead, the goal is to which was inexorably linked to the human Defining the concept is a logical determine what leisure means for people capacity to reason. “Happiness is man’s commencement point. Intuitively, finding a who inhabit a particular time and place. supreme perfection” (ST I-II, Q. 3, A. 2) definition seems a simple enough task, This article is a modest attempt, fol- and “consists entirely in contemplation” and it is if all one is concerned with is a lowing in the historicist tradition, to (ST I-II, Q. 3, A. 5). Leisure is essential definition. However, if one is searching for describe leisure and its role in human because it is a “requisite… for certain the definition of leisure the quest quickly flourishing. The article begins with a brief operations which belong to human life” becomes bogged down in a quagmire examination of leisure and its role in (ST I-II, Q.4, A. 7) and “this is clear of because asking leisure professionals for human flourishing from the Platonic contemplative happiness which is lost…by the definition of leisure elicits a wide range tradition, specifically examining ideas certain occupation, whereby a man is of diverse responses. Moving the search forwarded by Aristotle, Aquinas, and altogether withdrawn from contemplation” to textbooks or professional publications is Pieper. Then, a historicist-based concep- (ST I-II, Q.5, A. 4). During leisure, people not any more likely to be fruitful. Rather, tualization of leisure drawing upon the use their ability to reason to act virtuously the search is apt to turn up a classification work of MacIntyre (2007) is proposed. and comprehend, as best they could, the system by which the multitude of defini- Finally, implications for flourishing are nature of God and their place in His world. tions of leisure can be grouped (e.g., Ellis presented if the historicist based concep- More recently, Josef Pieper (1952), a & Witt, 1991). tion is adopted. Thomist, articulated a similar relationship To make sense of the difficulty in find- among human nature, reasoning, and ing the universal definition of leisure, one Platonic Perspective leisure. Pieper agreed the ability to reason ought to turn, at least initially, to philoso- is human nature and he maintained there phy because to answer the question The concept of leisure received much are two types of reasoning: ratio and “What is leisure?” requires philosophical attention from Aristotle (2001a, b), who intellectus. Ratio refers to using discur- inquiry. Hemingway (1993), a philosopher lived in the city-state of Athens during the th sive, logical thought to gain understanding steeped in the study of leisure, described 5 century B.C. He defined leisure as about truths. In contrast, understanding two broad philosophical approaches to freedom from obligation and centrally via intellectus is gained through intuition; understanding leisure: Platonic and positioned leisure within the framework of by being still and receptive to truth which historicist. The Platonic tradition postu- a well-lived life. For Aristotle (2001a), the “offers itself like a landscape to the eye” lates the existence of universal truths that telos or life-goal of a well-lived life was the (p. 9). Intellectus occurs during leisure are discoverable, although imperfectly, by achievement of eudamonia, often which for Pieper is defined by three

Journal of Unconventional Parks, Volume 5 • Number 2 • 2014 17 Tourism & Recreation Research components. First, leisure is “an attitude of therapeutic recreation specialist. A exercise, content of the virtues, internal non-activity, of inward calm, of si- practice requires practitioners to possess goods they can access, and telos of the lence….which is the prerequisite of the more than technical skills; they must act practice. To add even more complexity, apprehension of reality” (pp. 26-27). virtuously. Therefore, members of the the dialogue is influenced by traditions or Second, leisure is celebratory; “man practice of snow skiing must not only be extended histories surrounding a practice celebrates and gratefully accepts the capable of negotiating various terrains and (MacIntyre, 2007). “A practice is reality of creation in leisure, and the inner snow conditions, they must also adhere to ….embedded in and made intelligible in vision that accompanies it” (p. 29). Finally, the skier responsibility code. terms of the larger and longer history of leisure exists so “that the functionary To excel at a practice means to attain the tradition through which the practice in [man] should continue to be a man – standards of performance for technical its present form was conveyed to us” and…that he should continue to be skills and virtuous behaviors established (MacIntyre, 2007, pp. 222-223). “The capable of seeing life as a whole and the by practitioners. Members who excel practice of leisure is and has been world as a whole” (p. 31). It is in leisure acquire the internal goods of a practice. impacted by numerous traditions including that people strive to “see” the essence of Internal goods are outcomes resulting slavery, capitalism, consumerism, things and the totality of truth. Human from participating in a particular practice classical leisure, liberal individualism, and intellect is employed to try and under- and can include satisfaction from perform- the Protestant work ethic” (Sylvester, stand, as much as is humanly possible, ing well, excitement from discovering new 2007, p. 210). the world, God’s plan, and humans’ place ways of performing, and improved The flux nature implies the meaning in the plan. Those who do so are happy. physical functioning and health. Internal and purpose of a practice such as leisure goods add richness, purpose and meaning is ever evolving. Although there may not A Historicist Perspective to practitioners’ lives. be one ultimate definition, description, or As people accumulate practice relat- function of leisure, individual leisure In stark opposition to Aristotle, Aqui- ed experiences they weave those practices share similarities. nas, and Pieper, many contemporary experiences into a coherent personal I can think of no better expression to philosophers do not believe there is an narrative or life story (MacIntyre, 2007). A characterize these similarities than immutable, universal view of and function narrative links discrete events, separated ‘family resemblances’; for the various for leisure within human lives. Instead, by time and context, together in a resemblances between members of a terms such as leisure represent concepts meaningful way. When people reflect on family – build, features, colour of that are characterized as having blurred or share their narratives they become eyes, gait, temperament, and so on edges rather than clearly defined, fixed more aware of who they are, what they and so forth – overlap and criss-cross boundaries (Wittgenstein, 2009). Accord- like to do, and what matters most to them. in the same way. – And I shall say: ing to Wittgenstein, it can be advanta- This increased awareness leads to the [leisure practices] form a family. geous to keep a blurred photo rather than formulation of a telos or life-goal (Mac- (Wittgenstein, 2009, p. 36) replace it with a sharper image. Rigidly Intyre, 2007). In contrast to Aristotle and Family resemblance is represented by defining and purposing leisure may Aquinas, the telos for MacIntyre is not elements or characteristics that are unintentionally prohibit some people from predetermined. Rather, it is relative and common across individual leisure experiencing leisure and thus impede their emerges over time; “the good life for man practices but the elements in themselves ability to flourish by blocking certain routes is the life spent in seeking the good life for are not sufficient to adequately define or to flourishing. A blurred conception of man” (p. 219). describe leisure practices (Campbell, leisure is inherent in the historicist Virtues play a critical role in human 1965). For example, freedom, virtues, and perspective. flourishing. They “enable us to achieve community are elements common to A contemporary philosopher whose those goods which are internal to leisure practices (Sylvester, 2007, 2009) work provides a useful framework for a practices and the lack of which effectively but individual leisure practices are more historicist interpretation and understanding prevents us from achieving any such than the simple conglomeration of these of leisure is MacIntyre (2007). At the core goods” (MacIntyre, 2007, p. 191) and, as three elements for at least two reasons of his philosophy is the notion of a with Aristotle and Aquinas, virtues enable (Campbell, 1965). First, though an practice. A practice is defined as people to progress toward their teloi. At a element may be common across practic- …any coherent and complex form of minimum, three virtues are necessary to es, the particulars of the element can differ socially established cooperative hu- excel in any practice, secure internal from one leisure practice to another man activity through which goods goods, and progress toward a telos: leisure practice. For example, the amount internal to that form of activity are honesty, justice and courage (MacIntyre, of freedom exercised by artists creating a realized in the course of trying to 2007). Members of a practice must be piece of work is arguably greater than the achieve those standards of excel- truthful about their performances, fair in freedom exercised by chess players lence which are appropriate to, and their dealings with other participants, and whose moves are bound by multiple rules. partially definitive of, that form of ac- do the right thing even when doing so may In another example, the virtues necessary tivity, with the result that human pow- lead to physical or existential harm. to excel at American football differ from ers to achieve excellence, and human Practices are inherently dynamic. In those necessary to excel as a member of conceptions of the ends and goods other words, “practices never have a goal a book club. Second, individual leisure involved, are systematically extended. or goals fixed for all time” (MacIntyre, practices are composed of additional (MacIntyre, 2007, p. 187) 2007, p. 193), and practices are partially elements that are important to the identity Practices include many pursuits discerned by a “continuous argument” as and understanding of those practices. For commonly considered to be leisure to what a practice “is and ought to be” example, “team” and “physically demand- activities such as snow skiing, baseball, (MacIntyre, 2007, p. 222). This argument ing” are a pair of elements associated with and painting as well as the roles people or ongoing dialogue among members of a many practices (e.g., American football, inhabit such as mother, father, teacher, practice determines the standards they quad rugby, and wheelchair basketball) park ranger, recreation programmer, and must adhere to, virtues they must but not all practices (e.g., book club and

Journal of Unconventional Parks, Volume 5 • Number 2 • 2014 18 Tourism & Recreation Research stamp collecting). Two further conditions so, how should it be revised? And what every person in that community including of these additional elements are that, at a does it mean to flourish as a human those with disabilities partake in the minimum, each element must be associ- being? Deliberations are discursive and deliberations (Hutchison & McGill, 1998) ated with at a least two practices (overlap- characterized by members forwarding because every member of a community ping) and two elements cannot appear reasons to support why they answered in has something to teach about human together across all leisure practices the manner they did and evaluating flourishing and sometimes it is only from (crisscrossing) in which either one is found reasons forwarded by others in support or disenfranchised people that we can learn (Campbell, 1965; Wittgenstein, 2009). opposition (Hemingway, 1996). As a about a particular aspect of flourishing Building upon the previous example, result, a particular stance may be (MacIntyre, 1999). In an illustration of how wheelchair basketball and quad rugby are continued, refined, extensively altered, or people with disabilities contribute to physically demanding, team-based leisure completely abandoned. The goals of practices in a meaningful but unconven- practices (overlapping) while bridge is a discussions are enhancement of the tional manner, a caregiver recounted that team-based card game that is not practice, a fuller understanding of she learned how complex the notion of physically demanding and running flourishing, and promotion of flourishing. freedom is from the woman (Mary) she marathons is a physically demanding Acting virtuously and excelling at a serves who is nonverbal and has multiple practice where members compete practice contributes to one’s own flourish- disabilities including Alzheimer’s disease. individually (crisscrossing). ing, the flourishing of other practitioners, Mary is one of the freest people I and extends what it means to excel in the know…. She finds ways to live life Family Resemblance practice. So, snowboarders who excel fully without having the means most acquire internal goods such as pride and of us rely on, since her vision and As noted above, the family resem- satisfaction from performing well, im- language are severely limited…. blance among leisure practices includes, proved health and functioning, and Mary’s freedom is striking but it also at minimum, the internal goods of camaraderie with other snowboarders all paradoxical. She has a real autonomy community and freedom and the concomi- of which infuse their lives with meaning to follow her desires and insists that tant requirement for virtuous behavior and contribute to a personal sense of assistants help her to meet them, (Sylvester, 2007, 2009). Members of a purpose. As snowboarding equipment and while simultaneously being totally leisure practice compose a community so instruction evolves and snowboarders dependent in terms of personal and the terms leisure practice and community advance their skills, standards become home care. (Cushing & Lewis, 2002, are synonymous. Since “every community more demanding and what it means to p. 184) is established with a view to some good” excel at snowboarding is extended. Other When the input of people who are (Aristotle, 2001b, 1252a, 1-2), members of snowboarders benefit by being exposed to traditionally marginalized is sought after a leisure practice are united by their expanded conceptions of what is possible and respectfully considered, the scope of shared interest in the practice’s internal within the practice. Society also benefits human capacities widens because “the goods and systematic extension of what it because the lives of snowboarders are human conceptions of the ends and goods means to flourish. more infused with pride, satisfaction, and involved, are systematically extended” In any genuine community there are camaraderie and their health improves. In (MacIntyre, 2007, p. 187). As a conse- shared values: the members are unit- addition, some of those for whom the quence, members of the community ed through the fact that they fix on practice used to be considered impossible, experience greater freedom through the some object as pre-eminently valua- for instance, people with disabilities, are explicit acknowledgement and support of ble. And there is a joint effort, involv- able to take advantage of the improve- multiple ways of excelling and flourishing, ing all members of the community, by ments in technological and pedagogy to and recognition that flourishing is an which they give overt expression to become members of the practice. interdependent endeavor. their mutual regard for that object. Community, defined and described in Freedom is related to community in (Haworth, 1963, p. 86 as quoted in this manner, is the antithesis of a lifestyle other ways. Members of a community Pedlar & Haworth, 2006, p. 519) enclave (Bellah, Madsen, Sullivan, Swidler collaborate to define what is good and bad The joint efforts of the members of a & Tipton, 1996). A lifestyle enclave and right and wrong. Because the practice contribute to one another’s consists of people who are socially, definitions are not imposed by a deity or flourishing through a variety of means. economically and culturally similar. They predetermined and immutable, people are They assist each other to become rational are united through their participation in the free to determine what is best for them beings, secure individual and common same leisure practices. However, rather qua participants in a practice and human goods, navigate times of dependency than being open to and supportive of beings through reasoned dialogue. inherent in the human condition, and learn diverse people joining the practice Engaging in these discursive dialogues how to excel as a practitioner in the members of an enclave largely ignore also leads to participants increasing their practice and as a human being (Mac- those who are not similar or share their level of self-knowledge (i.e., values, Intyre, 1999). Also within leisure practices leisure lifestyle. Additionally, members of beliefs, abilities, and goals) freeing them (i.e., communities), people learn, cultivate, an enclave are not concerned with to actively pursue excellence in commen- and display virtues necessary to sustain extending leisure practices or enhancing surate leisure practices which in turn and enhance those practices/communities the flourishing of its members or society at contributes to their flourishing as commu- (Hemingway, 1988). Another critical large. nity members and human beings. function of a community is the on-going In contrast, MacIntyre (1999) argued Freedom is critical to virtues, and deliberation of questions such as: How that the degree to which an entire virtues are critical to practices. “Freedom does one excel in this practice? How does community flourishes is indicated by the is the presupposition of the exercise of the excelling in this practice contribute to my degree to which people who have been virtues” (MacIntyre, 2007, p. 159) and flourishing and the flourishing of others? traditionally ignored are actively involved practices require the development and Should the practice be revised so it in deliberations and actually do flourish. A exercise of virtues. Sylvester (2007, 2009) contributes even more to flourishing and if community’s flourishing is enhanced when proposed four virtues beyond the three

Journal of Unconventional Parks, Volume 5 • Number 2 • 2014 19 Tourism & Recreation Research identified by MacIntyre (2007) as neces- ability to judge the best course of action to similarly by two authors but how the sary to excel in leisure practices. Though follow in a particular situation is developed authors use the term leads to dissimilar the list is incomplete it does provide a over time and with application. meanings and purposes. To illustrate, take starting point. One virtue is respect for leisure during the 5th century B.C. in living things and the environment. The How the Term “Leisure” is Greece and in America during the late second virtue is disinterestedness which Used 1800s. Authors of the respective periods, means to participate in a leisure practice Aristotle (2001b) and Veblen (2007), for the internal goods associated with that defined leisure as freedom from obligation Aristotle (2001a) may have anticipat- practice and not for external goods. to perform utilitarian tasks. For both men, ed the emergence of the historicist External goods, of which money, fame, leisure is a requisite for the good life which tradition when, in Ethics, he said the level and power are examples, are not depend- is pursued by members of the leisure of specificity to seek when analyzing ent upon excelling in a practice and thus class. At this point, the meaning and subjects depends on the nature of the can be obtained by those who perform purpose of leisure begin a radical subjects. Leisure, as with human happi- poorly and/or exhibit vices. The third virtue divergence. For Aristotle (2001a, b), ness, should not be investigated with the is playfulness. Sylvester (2007) described leisure is when people realize their nature same expectations for precision associat- playfulness as a mix of “the seriousness and become fully human by exercising ed with the study of natural phenomena. one had as a child, at play” (Nietzsche, their ability to reason. They seek Natural phenomena such as the laws of 1989, p. 83) and eutrapelia. Eutrapelia is knowledge and truth and act virtuously motion, gravity, and thermodynamics lend revitalizing the soul through play (Aquinas, while doing so. They pursue practices themselves to scientific analysis because 1952). The soul, like the body, becomes such as science, philosophy, politics, and science is concerned with uncovering and tired with work which for the soul is the arts. Conversely, members of Veblen’s understanding absolute and universal reasoning. The pleasure generated by leisure class publically flaunt their freedom structures and processes. However, play refreshes the soul. The fourth virtue from work. This is accomplished through leisure is not a natural, independent, listed by Sylvester is phronesis or practical involvement in activities that “waste” time. physical object; rather, it is a product of reasoning. Phronesis is a considered a In other words, leisure activities are social life (Aristotle, 2001b; Sylvester, meta-virtue because it entails selecting nonproductive endeavors; they must not 1991). Due to this feature, the meaning of and applying the most appropriate virtue serve any useful or utilitarian purpose or leisure is dynamic, continually being to a specific situation. contribute to the advancement of human negotiated and revised through discus- Let’s view the four virtues as applied life. Examples include playing games and sions. Thus, the propensity of contempo- to the leisure practice of mountain biking. sports and learning dead languages (e.g., rary leisure scholars to discover what Mountain biking involves riding on narrow, Latin, Old English). Another signature leisure “really is” through the application of natural surfaced trails usually in relatively activity for Veblen’s leisure class is the sophisticated, scientific methods is a secluded settings such as mountains, pursuit of classics such as philosophy in misguided approach (Sylvester, 1991). wooded areas, open grassy areas, or institutions of higher learning. Instead of employing precise measur- deserts. Mountain bikers who excel are Indeed, there can be little doubt that it ing instruments of the kind used by primarily motivated to ride because doing is their [classics] utility of evidence of scientists who study physical phenomena, so enables them to access internal goods wasted time and effort, and hence of we could learn much by employing such as the camaraderie of fellow riders the pecuniary strength necessary in philosophical methods and playing closer and satisfaction from successfully order to afford this waste, that has attention to how the term leisure is used negotiating demanding obstacles. While secure to the classics their position of (Wittgenstein, 2009). One reason why negotiating these obstacles they become prerogative in the scheme of the terms such as leisure have blurred edges totally immersed in the moment, concen- higher learning, and has led to their is because the meaning and purpose of trating solely on the upcoming terrain. The being esteemed the most honorific of those terms are, at least partially, pleasurable experience of total absorption all learning. (Veblen, 2007, p. 257) dependent upon how they are used and revitalizes them and prepares them to Aristotle and Veblen defined leisure the contexts in which they appear. Take tackle everyday problems. Because most similarly but it is unlikely the two of them fishing as an example. Depending on how biking takes place in natural settings, could have engaged in a smooth flowing it is used, fishing can mean a leisure riders frequently encounter wildlife and conversation on the topic because of the practice, a work practice, or something when these encounters occur, riders give conflicting meanings and purposes they else. When fishing represents the actions animals a wide berth so as to minimize the ascribed to the term. To comprehend why of those who find enjoyment in casting a intrusion. However, respecting an animal there can be multiple meanings of the line from a shore or boat after work or on may require acting in a manner that is same term it is important to realize the the weekends most people recognize the normally forbade. For example, coming meaning of leisure is influenced by the term as being used to indicate a leisure upon a rattlesnake sunning or skunk surrounding historical context including practice. However, when fishing repre- standing firm in the middle of the trail may knowledge, language, and cultural sents the actions of those whose liveli- necessitate leaving the trail and bush- practices. The historical context each hood consists of catching and selling fish whacking or going the wrong way a short author was embedded in so profoundly for monetary gain most people recognize distance on a single track trail in order to impacted his thoughts on leisure that if the the term as being used to indicate a work bypass the animal. Riders must consider two were to trade places, each would find practice. Finally, fishing can be used the entire situation and determine the best his ideas on leisure out of place in and metaphorically as in “He went fishing for action to perform in that situation at that foreign to inhabitants of the new society to compliments.” This third use of the term time while doing their best to respect which he was transplanted. Aristotle lived fishing only resembles the first two uses in fauna, flora, and safety rules. Sometimes in a society that did not have access to a general, abstract manner. the best action entails violating one or technological and scientific developments With respect to the topic of the pre- more virtues so as to follow the most available to Veblen and Americans in the sent article, leisure may be defined important virtue for a given situation. The late 1800s. But Aristotle did have a

Journal of Unconventional Parks, Volume 5 • Number 2 • 2014 20 Tourism & Recreation Research vocabulary that distinctively defined work plentiful scope, in turn, helps ensure there ical extension of the leisure and well- in terms of leisure (ascholia) while, are multiple routes people with different being model in therapeutic recreation conversely, Americans defined leisure in interests, abilities, and skills can travel to strengths-based practice. Therapeutic terms of work. For the Greeks work was flourish. And because leisure practices are Recreation Journal, 46, 129-152. the absence of leisure while for Americans dynamic and extended through discursive Aquinas, T. (1952). The summa theologica leisure was time not spent at work. With dialogue they can and do evolve, building (Fathers of the English Dominican respect to cultural practices, both men upon discoveries and advances in our Province, Trans.). Chicago, IL: Ency- encountered slavery. The formation of the understanding of leisure, human beings, clopedia Britannica. Greeks’ leisure class was possible due to the world, and what it means to flourish. Aristotle. (2001a). Nicomachean ethics the practice of slavery, and slaves were Though the MacIntyrian based con- (W. D. Ross, Trans.). In R. McKeon believed to be less than fully human. ceptualization of leisure holds great (Ed.), The basic works of Aristotle (pp. Americans, who had recently finished potential for human flourishing, this 928-1112). New York, NY: The Modern fighting a civil war to abolish slavery, were potential will only be realized through Library. witnessing how the Industrial Revolution recognition of and action upon several key Aristotle. (2001b). Politics (B. Jowett, used machines to replace human labor points. One point is that leisure is woven Trans.). In R. McKeon (Ed.), The basic and create a wealthy, leisure class. throughout people’s lives influencing and works of Aristotle (pp. 1113-1316). From a historicist perspective, the being influenced by several other New York, NY: The Modern Library. lack of concurrence of meaning and constructs. Thus, leisure is not to be Bellah, R. N., Madsen, R., Sullivan, W. M., purpose between Aristotle’s and Veblen’s treated as an independent, isolated entity Swidler, A., & Tipton, S. M. (1996). leisure does not necessarily imply one but as one component of a rich network of Habits of the heart. Los Angeles, CA: conception of leisure is more valid than contributors to the fabric of human lives. University of California. the other. Rather, the variations are Additionally, the interrelationships among Blackshaw, T. (2010). Leisure. London, manifestations of the corresponding these constructs necessitate explicit England: Routledge. distinctive historical contexts and therefore identification and study. Therefore, Campbell, K. (1965). Family resemblance valid within those contexts. So, it stands to comprehending leisure to the greatest predicates. American Philosophical reason if leisure can be defined in multiple extent possible involves learning about, at Quarterly, 2, 238-244. ways and possess numerous meanings a minimum, philosophy, history, language, Carruthers, C., & Hood, C. D. (2007). and purposes, instead of trying to find the and cultural studies. Furthermore, people Building a life of meaning through definition or meaning or purpose of must understand there is no universal, therapeutic recreation: The leisure and leisure, the goal should be to come up immutable answer to the question of what well-being model, part I. Therapeutic with better ways of thinking about leisure is leisure. In fact, due to its ever evolving Recreation Journal, 4, 276-297. and its place in current day life (Sylvester, nature, the socially constructed phenome- Cushing, P., & Lewis, T. (2002). Negotiat- 1991). non is continuously undergoing revisions ing mutuality and agency in care-giving that reflect advances in our knowledge relationships with women with intellec- Conclusion and understanding of the subject matter. tual disabilities. Hypatia, 17, 173-193. Though possibly diverse and even Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). A better way of thinking about leisure incompatible, revisions are bounded by at Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: involves the adoption of a historicist least four conditions which preclude an An introduction. Journal of Happiness perspective because such a perspective “anything goes” mentality. First, virtuous Studies, 9, 1-11. holds great promise for human beings. behavior is an integral aspect of leisure Dunn, D. S., & Brody, C. (2008). Defining The promise is in the continual refinement practices. Second, objective standards of the good life following acquired physi- of a conceptualization that imbues leisure excellence are established by and guide cal disability. Rehabilitation Psycholo- with more and more meaning, causing the actions of practitioners. Third, for one gy, 53, 413-425. leisure to play a more critical and positive person to flourish other people have to Ellis, G. D., & Witt, P. A. (1991). Concep- role in enhancing the flourishing of all flourish so leisure practices must be tualization and measurement of lei- human beings. This promise is echoed in structured so as to contribute to the sure: Making the abstract concrete. In the belief that in contemporary society, flourishing of all practitioners. Finally, and T. L. Goodale & P. A. Witt (Eds.), related to the first three conditions, Recreation and leisure: Issues in an “leisure performs a key function, then: the rd function of rendering meaning” to people’s practitioners and society constantly review era of change (3 ed.) (pp. 377-395). lives (Blackshaw, 2010, p. 141). Black- the ability of leisure practices to promote State College, PA: Venture. shaw goes on to say leisure is positioned flourishing and make changes as neces- Hemingway, J. L. (1988). Leisure and to become “the principal driving force sary to enhance that ability. civility: Reflections on a Greek ideal. underpinning the human goal of satisfying A blurred rather than sharp concep- Leisure Sciences, 10, 179-191. our hunger for meaning and our thirst for tion of leisure may best serve humanity. Hemingway, J. L. (1993). Recovering the giving our lives a purpose. This is the job However, this characteristic places a world: Varieties of philosophical expe- leisure was always cut out for” (p. 120). responsibility upon us as human beings to rience. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure This article described a conceptual- continually refine the conceptualization of Studies and Recreation Education, 8, ization of leisure in-line with Blackshaw’s leisure so that it performs the job it “was 1-16. vision. A MacIntyrian based conception of always cut out for,” infusing people’s lives Hemingway, J. L. (1996). Emancipating leisure, based on virtuous behavior, active with meaning (Blackshaw, 2010, p. 120). leisure: The recovery of freedom in inclusivity of diverse peoples, and the leisure. Journal of Leisure Research, internal goods of community and freedom References 28, 27-43. is likely to broaden the range and increase Heyne, L. A., & Anderson, L. S. (2012). the number of leisure practices in which Anderson, L. S., & Heyne, L. A. (2012). 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